Diego Forlan is a former Uruguayan professional footballer who played for Manchester United between 2002 and 2004. During his time at the club, he established himself as a talented and skilled striker, although his overall impact at the club was somewhat mixed.
Forlan was signed by Manchester United in January 2002 from Argentine club Independiente for a fee of £7.5 million. He was brought in to bolster the club’s attacking options and provide competition for the likes of Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
However, Forlan struggled to make an impact in his early days at the club, and it took him until his 27th appearance to score his first goal for United. Despite this slow start, he began to find his form in the latter half of the 2002-2003 season, scoring important goals in the Premier League and the FA Cup.
The following season, Forlan continued to score crucial goals for the club, including a brace in a famous 4-3 victory over rivals Manchester City. He also played a key role in United’s run to the FA Cup final, scoring in the semi-final against Arsenal.
Despite his important contributions, Forlan struggled to establish himself as a regular starter for the club, with van Nistelrooy and Solskjaer usually preferred in the starting lineup. As a result, Forlan often found himself coming off the bench or playing in cup competitions.
In the summer of 2004, Forlan was sold to Spanish club Villarreal for a fee of around £2 million. He went on to enjoy a highly successful career in Spain, winning the Pichichi Trophy (awarded to the top scorer in La Liga) twice and leading Villarreal to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League in 2006.
Overall, while Forlan’s time at Manchester United was not without its struggles, he remains a popular figure among United fans for his important goals and his fighting spirit.
Here are some quotes from Diego Forlan during his time at Manchester United:
“I’m here to score goals, I know that’s my job.” – Forlan speaking to reporters shortly after his arrival at Manchester United in 2002.
“The fans are great. They have always supported me, and that is really important.” – Forlan commenting on the support he received from United fans despite his struggles to score goals early on.
“I know I can score goals, I’ve done it before and I’ll do it again.” – Forlan expressing his confidence in his ability to contribute to the team.
“It’s been difficult, but I’ve always tried to keep my head up and keep working hard.” – Forlan reflecting on the challenges he faced trying to establish himself in the United starting lineup.
“I’m happy to have played my part in the team’s success, and I hope I can continue to do so in the future.” – Forlan discussing his contributions to United’s run to the FA Cup final in 2004.
“It’s a fantastic club, and I will always be grateful for the opportunity they gave me.” – Forlan expressing his appreciation for the chance to play for Manchester United.
Here are some quotes about Diego Forlan at Manchester United from others:
“He’s a great player and he’ll score a lot of goals for us. He’s had to adjust to the pace of the English game, but he’s getting better all the time.” – Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson speaking about Forlan shortly after his arrival at the club in 2002.
“Diego’s a great lad, and he’s always worked hard. He’s got a lot of talent and I think he’ll go on to do great things in the game.” – Former Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praising Forlan’s attitude and ability.
“He’s got an unbelievable attitude. Even when things aren’t going his way, he keeps working hard and never gives up.” – Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes commending Forlan’s determination.
“He was always a threat, even when he wasn’t starting. He had a fantastic shot on him, and he was a great guy to have in the dressing room.” – Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand speaking about Forlan’s impact at the club.
“Forlan was a great finisher, he had a great shot and he could score from anywhere. He was a great professional, too.” – Former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar praising Forlan’s abilities as a striker and his professionalism.